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The University of the East Red Warriors never failed to get a slot in the final four for the past 5 straight seasons of UAAP (2002-2007). But they’ve always settled in third place. Their last championship appearance was in 1990, defeated by DLSU Green Archers.

September 13 post-game interview of Coach Dindo Pumaren. Video uploaded in You Tube by inboundpass.

I guess they just got tired of pouring out tears at the end of each lost game. I saw them repeat the feat made by the UST Tigers in 1993, garnering the most winning games in a season. What a great moment to celebrate. No more disappointing twice to beat, beaten twice scenario. Gone all the way to the finals. But too early to close the entire Recto Avenue for a party. There’s still La Salle, Ateneo and UST who can snatch the title easily the moment the boys of UE become too relaxed.

I read a comment (and a response to that) in the ManilaTonight.com forum posted after the Warriors’ remarkable 14 games sweep

bmsrco028

CONGRATS UE RED WARRIORS BUT AS WHAT FRANZ PUMAREN SAID, IT’S NOT HOW YOU START THE GAME BUT HOW YOU FINISH IT. THE CHAMPION TEAM IS MOST REMEMBERED AFTER THE SEASON. WHAT THEY ACCOMPLISHED YESTERDAY IS JUST HALF WAY OF THEIR GOAL.

gilgrissom quoting bmsrco028

Well said…I’m counting on Dindo Pumaren to constantly remind his players that they have not accomplished anything yet. I guess, with all his basketball experience he knows that topping the eliminations and being in the Finals is just half of what they can accomplish.

They should be wearing practice shirts like what the bulls wore before…something like “72-10 don’t mean a thing without the RING.” Read before that Phil Jackson liked that marketing idea to keep his players to focus on the championship…one of his favorites practice shirts.

How about me wearing a “14-0 don’t mean a thing without the RING” shirt in Araneta Coliseum?

Kudos Red Warriors. Continue what you have started. Keep the momentum high. Take your last games one at a time. Show them how all of you badly need it. End UE’s 21 years of drought at Season 70!

Since I switched blogging to WordPress from the “so 1996” Geocities (as Obet describes), I’m re-introducing my former colleague in my alma mater’s student publication- Kim (wearing blue on the photo). Presently a Sports correspondent of The Daily Tribune, he covered the Philippine Basketball League Silver Cup for this season.

This contributed article is his third banner in Tribune. It came out both in broadsheet and online on February 18, 2007.

Harbour Centre, displaying the heart of a true champion, trounced Hapee-Philippine Christian University (PCU), 86-73, to bag the 2007 Philippine Basketball League (PBL) Silver Cup title yesterday at the San Juan Arena.

The dynamic duo of Chico Lanete and Jonathan Fernandez stood at the forefront of the Portmasters who made a big rally midway in the fourth quarter which keyed their second straight title in the premier amateur league.